Well, hi! I hope this finds you living your best life in these wild and weird times: iced coffee in hand, the sound of sprinklers in the distance, and maybe writing a little something in between the chaos.
I’ve noticed things have been a bit quiet in the group lately, and I want to say:
It’s OKAY!!!
A few of you have mentioned that the family-themed prompts aren’t quite clicking this time around, and I get it. Sometimes those topics can hit a nerve, or maybe you’d rather chew on a burnt casserole than revisit your childhood stories or unpack unexpected trauma. Totally fair.
So here’s your gentle reminder: These prompts are just ideas.
If something else is tugging at your heart, follow THAT. If you’d rather seek out funny memories or even just old pictures, go for it. If you’re feeling blocked, write about THAT. Heck, you can even write about why you DON’T want to write about any of this. It all counts here.
Now, before I hand you this week’s prompt, here’s a quick list of biz:
Upcoming Prompts
Since some of this month will take some simmering and maybe interviewing, here’s what’s ahead:
This Week: Ask & Record
Next Week: Local Legend | Write about a figure from your city or state’s past who inspires you. Think someone who lived through something hard, changed a law, started something bold, or quietly made a difference. Maybe you already know of someone. Maybe you’ll need to do a little digging. If you’d rather pick someone present and even interview them, go for it! As always, make this your own.
Week 5: A Voice That’s Been Overlooked | Write the story of someone in your family whose story never really gets told. Maybe it’s the quiet sibling. The uncle who passed before you were born. The person who never got the spotlight but shaped your life or lineage in some unseen way.
Our Next Speakeasy: FIRST IN-PERSON HANG!!
Our first IN-PERSON HANGOUT will be a breakfast potluck at Sadie Squier’s house in Lakewood on July 26 from 9-11am.
If you didn’t see the evite with Sadie’s address, lemme know! And if any of you out-of-towners want to join us virtually, we’ll make something magical happen.
Weekly Writing Sprints
Our weekly (optional!) writing sprints are now on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. MDT.
So, if this day works, pop into my personal Zoom room. No cam or mic required. We’ll just briefly connect in the chat!
Meeting ID: 828 7700 4148 / Passcode: 602819
6 Months of DBP
Still can’t believe it’s been that long! With that, I’m asking for your feedback. And since your thoughts are important to me, if you reply to my email, that will count towards your prompt quota!
July’s Prize
If you do 4 prompts this month, your name goes into a drawing. If you do 5 or more, your name goes in twice. The prize? Choose from the following:
A copy of my book, Mama Be Present
An edit of any of your pieces (old or upcoming)
Pick an upcoming prompt or monthlong theme
Ready to write this one?
Here’s the nudge:
✒️ Ask & Record ✒️
Interview someone in your family
Step 1: Sit down with your comp or some paper.
Step 2: Choose someone in your family to talk to — a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, or anyone with a story to share. Let them know you’re working on a writing project and want to capture a meaningful memory from their life.
Not sure what to ask? Try one of these:
What’s a moment you think about often, even now?
What’s something you lived through that you’ve never really talked about?
What did your summers look like as a kid?
What’s a decision you made that changed your life?
What’s something people wouldn’t believe about how things used to be?
What do you wish more people in the family knew — or remembered?
Take notes or record the conversation (with permission).
Step 3: In your own words, retell the story they shared with you.
Step 4: Share in the Facebook group.
Option 2: Stretch your creativity
✒️ The Interview That Never Happened ✒️
Step 1: Sit down with your comp or some paper.
Step 2: Set a timer for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Pretend you've just landed the world’s strangest, most exclusive interview — with someone wildly unexpected.
You might be interviewing:
A retired circus mermaid who only speaks in riddles
A Victorian ghost who once ran a speakeasy for squirrels
Your great-great-grandfather’s imaginary friend (who is still upset he wasn’t invited to the wedding)
A time-traveling librarian who’s been collecting stories that don’t exist yet
Ask them whatever you want, and let them answer however they want. Let their voice shine through your words.
You can begin with:
“I knew something was off when she floated in wearing pearls made of moonlight…”
or
“When I sat down to interview the world’s oldest pet lizard, I didn’t expect him to have an opinion on jazz…”
or
“I only asked one question — and she told me everything.”
Write the “interview” transcript or turn it into a short story. There’s no wrong way. Just make it yours.
Step 4: Post in the Group!
Option 3: Take your own adventure
As always, if something else is tugging at you, lean into THAT.
Have fun, good luck, and holler if you get stuck,
Brit
303.550.8955
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